30th ANNIVERSARY PARTY HIGHLIGHTS
It's official! The 30th Anniversary of Our Friends Place (OFP) is in full swing after having recently celebrated with over 100 Friends at the anniversary party! We are grateful to Jefflyn Williamson (OFP Past Board President 2004) for opening her beautiful home as the perfect venue for this amazing celebration.
The evening began with current Board President Cindy Tonnessen sharing upcoming events and thanking many guests in attendance including past board members, long-time donors and a strong showing of alumnae. Sue Thiers Hesseltine spoke about OFP's 30 years of development, including the new non-residential SOAR program. SOAR stands for strengths, opportunities, allies and resiliency. This is a seven week community life skills outreach program for young women. The alumnae in attendance shared a brief statement about the impact OFP had in their lives. Their sentiments were heartfelt and validated the critical importance of Our Friends Place. Sue recognized many others at the party and thanked them for their commitment to OFP's mission, before announcing the 2018 Ebby Award winners.
The program culminated with Susybelle Gosslee, founder of Our Friends Place, who gave a truly passionate speech about everyone's involvement in making a difference in the lives of the young women we serve. She ended with a champagne toast celebrating the past 30 years and wishing continued blessings for young women for years to come.
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Our Friends Place Founder, Susybelle Gosslee
and guests
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2018 EBBY AWARD WINNERS
For 14 years, Our Friends Place has received nominations for the annual Ebby Award, given to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions or achievements in advancing girls and/or women in the North Texas area. The Ebby Award is named after Ebby Halliday Acers, the award's first recipient in 2005, for her commitment and contributions to women in the Dallas community.
With great pleasure at the anniversary party, Sue Hesseltine announced the 2018 annual Ebby Award winners. Congratulations to Kaleta Doolin, our individual award winner and the Junior League of Dallas, organization award winner! We look forward to sharing their stories soon and more importantly recognizing their achievements with the Ebby Award at the 30th Anniversary Gala Auction & Casino Night. Learn more about attending or sponsoring the Gala here.
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH YEAR-END GIVING
Our Friends Place is winding down a tremendous year of achievements with the young women we serve. We hope to expand this in the 30th anniversary year as the SOAR outreach program continues to grow in the community.
With your generous year-end contribution the impact Our Friends Place can make is even greater. Be a hero to the young women we serve with your gift that helps these young women soar to success!
- $25 provides a month of internet access for three young women to complete classroom expectations and apply for jobs
- $100 will refresh a bedroom with a new comforter, twin sheets and a bath towel set
- $250 purchases a three month supply of bus passes for one resident
- $500 will provide four young women with food and supplies for one month
Our Friends Place is grateful for your support and the difference you are making in the lives of empowering young women who are setting goals and working towards a more self-sufficient life.
Happiest of holidays to our Friends!
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Toilet bowl cleaner
Dishwasher soap (pods)
Paper towels
Pots and pans
Kitchen & Bath size trash bags
Umbrellas
Notebooks
Adult scissors
Black & Blue pens
Manual pencil sharpeners
Bed pillows
Twin sheets
Vibrant colored towel sets (2 each - bath, hand and washcloth)
Blow dryers
Motions Hair Care, Shea Moisture, and Dr. Miracle hair products
Hair straighteners
No show socks
Underwear (Med.-XXXL) sizes
Walmart gift cards
DART bus passes
To donate, contact Cindy Washlesky or Brenda Snitzer at
214.520.6268
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Ways to Get Involved
- Share your talents and knowledge on a committee
- Redecorate a bedroom or living space for young women
- Offer crucial support to our office staff
- Engage the community to gather school supplies, personal items and more
- Put your party planning skills to good use for our annual fundraiser
To get involved, email
Our Friends Place helps young women, between the ages of 18 and 24, break the generational cycles of abuse, neglect, poverty and homelessness through empowering self-reliance and independence. OFP provides a supportive home and teaches the skills young women need to become self-reliant adults. OFP young women enroll in an educational or vocational program, hold a job and pay a portion of their earnings as rent and savings.
Our Friends Place Staff
Sue Thiers Hesseltine,
Executive Director
Brenda Ewing Snitzer,
Development Director
Caitlin Doepfner,
Development Associate
Melanie Meijering,
Program Director
Beazley House Site Manager
Nicole Price,
Pauline's Place Site Manager
Libby Woolverton,
Outreach Specialist
Cindy Washlesky,
Program Specialist
Our Friends Place
Administrative Office
6500 Greenville Ave
Suite 620
Dallas TX 75206
214.520.6268
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